A/N: this is a work of fanfiction, I only own Thea.
Wallflower
By Leah Pensotti
Despite the amazing feeling Daryl had for most of the day, when he went to talk to Olivia at the food stores he found out there was not enough food to last out the day, let alone the next week. Daryl knew he should go talk to Rick, but he was nervous. He was worried his friend would be able to smell Thea on him.
Maybe he should've taken her up on the shower offer.
Instead he went to visit Carol, who had welcomed him in and offered him tea. She didn't seem to be surprised about the empty pantries, "Been so low for so long...you all going to make a run soon?"
Daryl shrugged, they probably should. He just didn't know if they would be able to sit in the same car together. Maybe he could pull Glenn in? Or even Tara and Heath? They were having to go further and further to scavenge, there was very little close to town.
"I s'ppose we'll have ta."
Carol shrugged, "Maybe Thea could go with you?"
He chuckled wryly, "Ain't no way Rick will let her out there."
"But you said she was crafty and clever? Why wouldn't you want her out there?"
Daryl told her a little about Thea's backstory, that surgery had left her unable to run. He also alluded to the fact that Rick also had a thing for her. To which Carol's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"So...you both..."
"Yeah."
"How's that going?"
"It's fuckin' weird."
Carol smiled lightly and shrugged, "I'll be honest, you liking anyone is fuckin' weird, let alone you sharing her with your best friend."
Daryl couldn't have said it better himself and nodded, "I hate it. I hate the idea of sharin' her...but Thea makes it...makes me..."
She just waved her hand a little and took a sip of her tea, "You, of all people, don't have to explain yourself to me. You must like her if you're willing to go through all of this. So I say, you go on a run. Take Thea, add Glenn, add enough folks to be able to help if things go south. Rick knows we need food. He knows we can't spare everyone."
"He won't even let her stand at the gate on watch."
Carol just shrugged again, "Thea can be the lookout. She can stay in the car with a gun, one of the radios and binoculars. You said she wants to help, right?"
Daryl nodded; Thea did want to help. She didn't want to be a liability, though. He said he'd think on it and decided to grab a shower at Carol's before heading over to talk to Rick.
He stood for a long while before walking up the path to Rick's home. After knocking on the door, Carl appeared, his father's old sheriff's hat sitting on top of the now ever present bandage covering his eye.
Daryl hated it for the kid, but Carl had become one of the toughest people he knew, and he was just a teenager.
"Hey, 's yer dad around?"
Carl shook his head, "Went out with Michonne to check in on Tobin and the construction team."
Daryl nodded and thanked Carl, knowing that it would be easier to talk to Rick if Michonne was there as a buffer. His proposal was going to be short and sweet...he wanted to take a team on a run headed south; everything they'd done recently had been up around D.C. He wanted to take Thea so she could help game plan, she could also serve as a getaway driver if need be.
Daryl knew that the town could go a few days with low stores, but he didn't like it. He knew Rick wasn't going to want him to take Thea out, even though they both knew she would want to do it and until they'd both become involved with her; they both wanted her on the runs.
At this point in time, it would be silly not to let her help scout if it meant they'd find food for the town.
Rick and Michonne were talking to Tobin about clearing more space in town and the construction of a new watch tower for Alexandria. They needed some perspective from above, given the nature of what Daryl, Abraham, Sasha, Thea and himself had all encountered around the roads of D.C.
In mid-conversation, Rick caught a glimpse of Daryl stalking towards them. It felt so odd to see him without his crossbow, it was like an extension of him was missing. Just like when Michonne had lost her sword to the folks at terminus; but luckily they had been reunited.
Rick called to him, thoughts and questions about his time with Thea in the back of his mind, "Hey, man."
Daryl nodded and squinted against the afternoon soon, "Hey...stopped by the food stores. We ain't got enough ta last the day. We need ta get out there and stay on top of it."
Rick put his hands on his hips, scavenging had become scant around the area. Alexandria hadn't really been able to produce many crops yet, but Maggie was working on it based on the plans Deanna had left for them on the eve of the herd.
He looked at Michonne, there was a pensive look in her eyes...she worried mostly about those who couldn't fend for themselves, the older folks and Judith. Rick turned back to Daryl and nodded, "So you're wanting to go out?"
Daryl nodded, "Thought we could at least scout and get an idea for a big supply run...unless there's somethin' we can't pass up. Just note takin' til we actually get a good lead and rouse up another group. I was thinkin' maybe Aaron, Glenn and Thea...head south of here."
Rick felt himself frown. Daryl of all people should know that Thea was not an option, not after last time...not after...
"Glenn and Aaron, yes. Thea, no."
Daryl nodded, like he knew that's what Rick was going to say, "I need ya ta hear me out on this one. Up until the last time and...everythin', we wanted her on the runs. This is just scoutin' unless we find somethin' we absolutely can't pass up. She's smart...we want her out there for this...we need ta keep the food supply up 'til we can get the crops goin.'"
Daryl had a point, and Thea had just earlier accused him of wanting to protect her because of what happened to Jessie. Rick knew in his heart of hearts she was capable...he just couldn't stand to see her get hurt or worse, even though in this new world...it was almost a guarantee.
Michonne sighed thickly and walked away with Tobin, "I'm going to leave you guys to your pissing contest."
Thea could be right, perhaps Rick's vision was clouded when it came to her. Daryl seemed to be on board when it came to Thea's attempting to help; and it could have been something that drove her away from Rick and towards Daryl.
So, he relented...a little.
Rick nodded and stroked his beard in contemplation, "Alright. No leaving the car unless it's something big. Take radios and weapons. No further than two hours south. You and I will take the notes on a subsequent run. Got it?"
Daryl nodded, "Yeah. I got it."
Just as his friend turned on his heel, Rick called after him, "And Daryl?"
"Yeah?"
"Be safe. Keep them safe. Keep her safe."
Daryl just nodded, "I will."
Thea was over the moon when Daryl had come by to tell her that Rick had agreed for her to go on a scouting trip south with a small group. She worried about being a liability, but also saw that Rick was letting her help...something she thought he was staunchly opposed of because of her issues with running and their intimate dalliances.
Maybe this was his way of admitting that he was overprotective of her? That she wasn't like Jessie Anderson?
She nearly threw her arms around Daryl with the news, but reminded herself that there was a time and a place for everything.
She gathered some things, including her hunting knife and the gun that Rick had given to her when she and Daryl had gone out on a test run. This time they would be going away from the city, which was a good plan considering most of their focus as of late was the area around the capitol.
Thea and Daryl walked to the front gates and met both Aaron and Glenn to pack up the vehicle and strategize. Daryl laid out a map on the hood of the car, tracing his finger along the lines of I-95.
"Idea is ta scout perspective places and mark them for a more comprehensive run in a few days. We're just gettin' the lay of the land, unless there's somethin' too good ta be true. Then we stop. Food stores are very low so that's priority. Takin' radios, if we get out Thea stays in the car and plays lookout."
Glenn nodded and shifted his backpack on his shoulders, "I can't believe we're having to go so far out to find food. Surely there's orchards or gardens...somewhere."
Aaron sighed, "Orchards maybe. Gardens would be overgrown and not tended to after two years."
Thea knew that fall was encroaching fast, she wondered if there were any pumpkin patches...anywhere families would go when Halloween would come for Jack-o-lanterns or Thanksgiving pumpkin pies? Gourds, squashes, pumpkins...they could feed a lot of people if they could find them. She wondered if there was anyway ever to find out now that the Internet no longer existed?
She made a mental note to mention it in the car, because as they were packing up, Theafelt the excitement of going outside the gates and being useful brimming up inside of her.
Thea couldn't believe that Rick had given consent to this. Maybe her talk with him earlier had made him realize the difference between her and Jessie? She was hoping to prove herself to both him and Daryl that she was capable of helping.
It was mid-afternoon when they left Alexandria, and Thea had to stop herself from sticking her head out of the window like a happy pet dog. She sat shotgun as Daryl drove, while Aaron and Glenn fiddled with the radios in the back seat. Thea had a felt-tipped marker and the map at the ready, itching to take notes and marking where subsequent groups would return.
She saw Daryl glancing at her in his periphery, had it been only the two of them she would've reached out for him, maybe placing her hand on his knee. They drove for an hour south, finding a few options and signage that indicated farms and picking your own fruit. Surely, the trees and fields couldn't be completely empty.
A few stores were possible, Thea shook off anything they scoped out with the wrong size to door number ratio...even with enough people they could be death traps and just generally gave her a bad feeling.
They were heading closer towards Colonial Williamsburg, which in the old world was very popular with tourists, as was the Jamestown settlement. Thea thought back and realized that they were not so far removed from the settlers from England, trying to survive in the new world with new elements.
Two hours into the drive, they found something they couldn't pass up. A superstore, one that could've been sacked and emptied, but had enough square footage and exits to make it worth looking into. There could be food inside that could help them immediately.
Night wasn't far off at this point and dusk was rolling in. As Daryl, Glenn and Aaron packed up to venture inside, the former took Thea gently by the elbow and whispered, "I need ya ta keep the lookout. Keep the radio on and handy, if ya see anythin'...anybody...stay outta sight and tell us ta get outta there. Keep safe...alrigh'?"
Thea looked up at him, feeling a half-smile pull at her lips, "You got it, boss."
Daryl smirked, and she knew he wanted to pull her close, just like she wanted to pull him close. She was so grateful he had lobbied for her to go on the run.
She watched as he and Aaron and Glenn fell into formation, Daryl leading the way, speaking with hand motions and not words. For almost thirty minutes, they were inside. Thea assumed it was going well.
She looked down at the map, the markings made in her neat handwriting. They had found at least a dozen possibilities.
Suddenly, she heard it.
The sound of motorcycles.
Thea cut the lights on the car and shoved the map into her backpack. She slowly and blindly drove the car out of sight behind the superstore's garden store and ducked down, flipping the switch on the radio.
"We have company. Motorcycles."
Daryl came back over the grainy speaker, "Shit. They passin'? Or comin' in?"
"Not sure. Moved the car behind the garden store."
"Be out soon. Keep outta sight, Thea."
"Copy that."
She got out of the car slowly, hiding behind the back passenger side tire. If she needed to try and get away, she was going to give herself a real chance. Thea took out the binoculars and watched as the group of men...six of them drove up to the filling station on the property and took red gas cans, attempting to siphon off gas.
Thea wondered if they had been the same men Daryl and Rick had seen the last time they went out? Mostly all in black, toting weapons and clad in motorcycle jackets.
Thea held up the radio and spoke, "They are looking for gas..."
And then she dropped the radio.
It was him.
She thought he was dead. But there he was, grabbing ass with his friends on motorcycles.
6'3. Dark, curly hair. Mustache.
She felt the panic rise in her chest, remembering how savagely he had beat her. Remembering his angry words.
"Stuck up bitch."
Thea heard Daryl's voice on the radio, but she had spiraled into hyperventilating, trying to be quiet. Trying not to draw attention to herself.
His name was Seth. He had beaten her. Broken her. Left her to bleed to death.
And it seemed he had survived, too.
"Thea? Thea...do you copy?"
She still heard Daryl's voice on the radio as she passed out on the ground, her head thumping against the concrete.
A/N: I'm sorry it's been so long, loves. I've been going through a lot more than just writer's block. I am attempting to move to South Carolina with my husband as he relocates with his job. My job search hasn't turned up anything and we are looking for apartments, too. So I will be writing, just might take some time getting them published, so hang tight and make sure you follow and favorite for updates! Next up: Thea clams up and Daryl thinks she has decided against him. Her nightmares return. Jesus pops up soon!
Thank you all so much for the feedback, reviews and kind words! You all are the best. Please drop me a line and let me know how I am doing. If you are also so inclined please check out my other TWD fics "Redemption" (Rick/OC) and its ongoing AU version "Simple Twists of Fate" or "The Country Singer" (Daryl/OC) and its AU counterpart "The Redhead and The Redneck." Also, the first chapter of my new story "Times Like These" has been published. I hope you enjoy my Male OC Cooper, who is a beach bum who will eventually become entangled with Rosita. Please drop me a line and let me know what you think!
Super Special Shout Outs to: enchantmentanjel, belladu57, gamergirl28 (close! But he is the guy that kept heading Rick and the gang off at every turn in the season finale :), Hawkgirl, Celia Azul, CLTex, xenocanaan, gillyflower34 (true story!) angelicedg and stormrunner74 :)
Thanks and Love,
Leah P!
xoxo
